NU holds off UST 75-71 to improve to 7-3
Mo Diassana collected 16 points and 19 rebounds as the Bulldogs recovered from a fourth-quarter deficit, leaving the Tigers with a third straight loss.
National University returned to winning form on October 31, 2026, defeating University of Santo Tomas 75-71 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball result lifted NU to 7-3, while UST fell to 4-6.
The Bulldogs, coming off a narrow defeat by Ateneo, dominated the rebounding count 59-29. Mo Diassana delivered 16 points, 19 rebounds and a block, supported by PJ Palacielo’s 14 points and six rebounds. Kenshin Padrones recorded 13 points alongside 12 rebounds.
NU’s double-digit cushion before half-time had disappeared by the final quarter. UST put together an 8-0 burst, completed by Kristian Porter’s layup, to take a 62-57 lead. NU responded by scoring the next 10 points; Paul Francisco finished that sequence with a basket for a 67-62 advantage with 4:53 remaining.
Diassana dunked with 42 seconds remaining to make it 73-66, but Landyn Jumawan’s three-pointer and two Amiel Acido foul shots reduced the margin to 73-71 with seven seconds left. Palacielo then went to the line twice, making one free throw on each visit after NU recovered his first missed attempt.
Tebol Garcia contributed 12 points plus seven rebounds, six assists and one steal for NU. Acido topped UST’s scoring with 13 points, adding five rebounds. Llemit supplied 12 points, while Collins Akowe and Andrew Chio each scored 11.
